What does it mean to be an American?

First off lets me say that this post isn�t for bashing purposes, well at least not on my part. I just want to get some honest opinions from my fellow Americans. What do you feel it means��..

Well, As expected I would have to reply to this thread.

To me being an American is being one with the many different cultures that make up the world. America is the only place in the World, where one can find people from every nation and culture, united as ONE people. Being an American is an Honor, to be among those who can cast off the stereotypes, and be indifferent. Something I feel many have yet to accomplish. To me being American is looking out for the well being of others and ensureing personal Liberty. Also being American is upholding the idealogy that every human has the right to basic needs and freedoms.



[Edited on 25-5-2003 by ADVISOR]

Being an American, in my opinion, is nothing more than being a citizen of America, either by birth or by immigration. It's nothing more than that.

Originally posted by ADVISOR
To me being American is is looking out for the well being of others and ensureing personal Liberty. Also being American is upholding the idealogy that every human has the right to basic needs and freedoms.

To me, this is not necessarily a trait of an American. As a Jediist, this is my lifestyle, anyway. I could do such if I were not an American. However, I also am tired of classifying ourselves based upon where were come from. I am a human, you are a human, as are the rest. To me, that's enough.

I think it means struggling..too many choices these days with everything in America. To be quite honest with you, I'm not as proud as I used to be, to be an American(especially after living overseas) you become a minority and you know what it feels like to be an outsider 'looking in' and from that perspective, it doesn't look as good. Infact sometimes I'm actually embarassed for the land of the free and the brave. I guess you'd just have to see it like I see it, to understand what I'm saying..

With all that said..I do love America and Americans are great yada yada..but I wish things weren't so hazey for us..
Magestica~

Since the Native Americans are not even considered 'Americans', and the 'real' Americans are really foreigners from Europe and other regions of Earth I would have to say that being an American is an option.

My people were not native to this land. We came here.

Why???

Who knows. We all have our own reasons.

I think anyone can be an American.

That is the ideal of American freedom.

Is it not???


Abraham

What constitutes an American? Not color nor race nor religion. Not the pedigree of his family nor the place of his birth. Not the coincidence of his citizenship. An American is one who loves justice and believes in the dignity of man. An American is one who will fight for his freedom and that of his neighbor. An American is one who will sacrifice property, ease, and security in order that he and his children may retain the rights of all free men.
Harold Ickes
"I Am an American" speech

I'd go with Lobo and stick to a legal definition: with getting on for 300 million people -we won't get too far on generalisations.

Why does a jedi have an imperial icon as his avatar? Didnt the empire destroy the jedi? That would be like a jew having a swatzika on his page

Also, shouldn't it be "Jedism"?

Jediist isnt a word, nor can it be.

Either way, it looks like someone has been watching too much Star Wars. Wasn't the Jedi discipline a rip off of Taoism?

Originally posted by LOBO
Being an American, in my opinion, is nothing more than being a citizen of America, either by birth or by immigration. It's nothing more than that.

Does everyone see this?! Exactly, what is wrong with society today?! This is how people identify them selves these days, wheres the pride? Wheres the sence of Nation?

Oh, yeah...younger generations haven't a clue because they were given more than they realize. Well I know what being an American IS, and it's more than just being born and adopting a title, thats just SPOILED drivel.
LOBO, go down to the local VFW or Recruters office and ask someone what being American is. If your open minded, you would at least give it a try.

I'm not judgeing or saying anyone is incorrect, but this topic/thread goes to show a perfect difference in the generations.

A white man from Africa immigrated to America and became an American. He was now an African America. He was welcomed in America.

A black man from Africa immigrated to America and now he is an African American. But he was hated in America.

That is what it means to be an American.

"wheres the pride?" - ADVISOR

Pride is a sin..

"Wheres the sence of Nation?" - ADVISOR

Nationalism is evil.

"younger generations haven't a clue because they were given more than they realize." - ADVISOR

Younger generations are becomming sickened by government and its plague. Commercialism is raping the minds of the younger generations and inspiring hate in the "system" which the older generations were programmed into.

Originially an American was a person who strove to be free of the control of a government which held different beliefs as themselves. This was short lived however, as peoples fear of life without government inspired them to enslave themselves again beneath the rule of politicians who make stands on issues only to gain popularity, then they betray the people who voted for them.

The freedom of Americans is but an illusion, consider these quotes:

"Every generation needs a new revolution.", Thomas Jefferson

"That government is best which governs the least, because its people discipline themselves", Thomas Jefferson

"A sincere diplomat is like dry water or wooden iron", Joseph Stalin

"It is enough that people know there was an election. The people who cast the votes decide nothing. The people who count the votes decide everything.", Joseph Stalin

"All paid jobs absorb and degrade the mind.", Aristotle

"He who is unable to live in society, or who has no need because he is sufficient for himself, must be either a beast or a god.", Aristotle

"The opressed are allowed once every few years to decide which particular representatives of the opressing class are to represent and repress them.", Karl Marx

"Nationalism is an infantile disease. It is the measles of mankind.", Albert Einstein

"Politics is a pendulum whose swings between anarchy and tyranny are fueled by perpetually rejuvenated illusions.", Albert Einstein

"The natural liberty of man is to be free from any superior power on Earth, and not to be under the will or legistlative authority of man, but only to have the law of nature for his rule.", Samuel Adams

All government is slavery...

By the way Illmatic, in my humble opinion I think it's kind of wrong for you to say that the black man would be hated by "Americans," this of course is a false statement as surely not all "Americans" would hate the black man, only the infantile moronic minority would hate him..
[Edited on 26-5-2003 by Attero Auctorita]

[Edited on 26-5-2003 by Attero Auctorita]

Can I, as a non american, say what as an outsider being an american appear to be?

Basically being american is being schizophrenic....

• You love your country, but are embarrassed by what it does sometimes
  
• You are loyal to your President, but think he's an idiot
  
• You are glad for your government, but think its out to "get you"
  
• You love democracy, but admit that really you don't have it either.
  
• You like other nationalities, but when they critize your govt you take it personally.
  
• You are happy to be with other americans, but they they voice opposition to the county's politics you call them traitors thus denying them a legitimate voice
  
• You love your environment but love your posessions more .. as a result ....
  
• You want to protect the environment but not if it means you have to give up your consumerism and exploitation of the environment
  
• You want to be free from the Arab stanglehold, but buy petrol hungry Hummers and SUV's in record numbers
  
• You would like to travel, but the world is really within the 53 states (53rd being Iraq)
  
• You want to take care of the poor in your country but hate paying the taxes required to help others
  
• You are optimistic for the future, but scared of the armageddon you believe is to come
  
• You want equality for all, but are happy to exploit the wetbacks when it serves you
  
• You are sexually conservative as individuals yet your media exploits sex as a tool and hook.
  
• You are proud of your human rights yet the new underclass in your society is almost invisible.
  
• You desire peace but love war .. this leads to..
  
• You see yourselves as peaceful but the military are entwined through your psyche
  
• You stick up for the weak, but believe personally that might is right
  
• You are upset over individual deaths protrayed in the media (of people and pets), but oblivious to the thousands of deaths your medical system upon those too poor to afford it
  
• You believe in freedom, yet admit that you are being manipulated by your own media
  
• and finally ... you agree with my points but think "who the hell is he to say that, he's not even american!"
  

So what does it mean to be an American?
.. to experience some confusion, and disorientation in the world and your place in it, but think it will go away ... one day...

Uh oh Netchicken, you have just waged war with the blind American loyalists! I agree with everything you said. Though I also believe that all government is wrong, it is the weak who flock to government because they are scared. No man has the right to rule over another man. The only law is the law of nature..

To quote overzealous web geeks everywhere:

Best.Post.Ever.

Hmmmm�this is worthy of a spot elsewhere on the web. I think it sums up, rather succinctly, what it is to truly be American. Although according to this, I�m still a socialist dog lapping milk up from the bowl of communism.

Yay me.

I'm sorry attero, but if you believe that then you are a niave idealistic blind fool. Certainly the govt protect the weak, and so they should, it seems they need protecting from people like yourself. People who are the ubermenchen of might is right and to hell with anyone weaker than me.

Originally posted by Attero Auctorita
Though I also believe that all government is wrong, it is the weak who flock to government because they are scared. No man has the right to rule over another man. The only law is the law of nature..

That's too bad Netchicken, all government FAILS, it ends in anarchy through revolution, no government is perfect, so why even bother. Afraid of natural selection? Not to sound like a nazi or anything (though i'm afraid it will be seen as that), species evolve through the loss of the weak. I may have radical thought, but i'm no fool to act on it, as the majority of the world is brain washed just as yourself, they cling to government like they clang to their mothers breasts as an infant.

[Edited on 26-5-2003 by Attero Auctorita]

Give me one example from the 1st world....

Originally posted by Attero Auctorita
That's too bad Netchicken, all government FAILS, it ends in anarchy through revolution, no government is perfect, so why even bother. Afraid of natural selection? Not to sound like a nazi or anything (though i'm afraid it will be seen as that), species evolve through the loss of the weak. I may have radical thought, but i'm no fool to act on it, as the majority of the world is brain washed just as yourself, they cling to government like they clang to their mothers breasts as an infant.

[Edited on 26-5-2003 by Attero Auctorita]

Timeline of revolutions:

las.arizona.edu...

www.myschoolonline.com...

What makes you think that only the American government and citizens are wrong? Everything you listed about Americans/a can be applied for every government EVER! Goverments are meant to be the cure, but murder still exists, people are still homeless, disease and sickness still kill, and governments bring wars which have serious impacts on all of humanity. There may as well be anarchy, with only peoples morals as government.

I think it's ironic that people who notice the conspiracies which occur through government and such, still support it.

But oh well, humans are hypocritical by nature. Everything in life is a paradox. Order cannot exist, only disorder is possible.

Continue to sell yourself as a slave to a government which cures NOTHING! Which serves no purpose except being an illusion of well-being.

Anarchy will never occur though, because humans have shown neccesity to have government (ignoring its fallacy). The ignorance of humanity can never be cured, there are far too many people on earth to change at this point in time.

[Edited on 26-5-2003 by Attero Auctorita]

"Ignorance is bliss", Matrix